Mumbai Indians

A game that refused to end and went on till day five as Sri Lanka turned a lost cause into a tremendous fightback. The second Test match at Colombo ultimately ended in a draw, but India won the two-match series 1-0. Player of the Series Devdutt Padikkal (117) and Dhruv Jurel (115) stood out for India with the bat while the bowlers on the other end were made to toil hard for their wickets.   

Day 1: Padikkal scores special ton, Skipper Shubman leads from the front

Electing to bat first, opener Yashasvi Jaiswal gave a quick start to visitors India, scoring 45 in 53 balls. Further, Devdutt Padikkal seemed to be having a dream run with the bat, notching up yet another century, 117 in 193 balls during the opening day of the second Test match. After two life lines in the middle, he made the Lankan lions pay for those two dropped attempts. On the other hand, skipper Shubman Gill also made a good half century. Both batters stitched a 120 runs partnership to put India on the front foot. En route Gill completed 3,000 runs in Test cricket. Batting at number five, Ravindra Jadeja hung in there and played a valuable knock of 43 runs on a good batting track. India ended the day with 300/5 in 85 overs. Asitha Fernando picked 3/46 in 16 overs.

Day 2: Jurel’s brilliant century puts India in commanding position

Resuming their batting on the second day, India declared at 503/9 in 139 overs courtesy an outstanding unbeaten knock of 115 in 177 balls, which included nine fours and two sixes from Dhruv Jurel. His mighty century came when India needed it the most, ensuring he put his side in a commanding position. Rishabh Pant at the other end also contributed a handy 63 runs after being retired hurt on the previous day. When Sri Lanka came out to chase down the total, two early wickets swung the momentum completely in India’s favour putting them in the driver’s seat. At stumps, the Lankan lions were 8/2 in three overs.

Day 3: Prasidh, Manav apply pressure with six wickets, Sri Lanka continue fight back

Though rain played spoil sport on and off, India tried their best to put the brakes on the Lankan Lions. Pasindu Sooriyabandara stood like a rock for his side, making 80 in 133 balls. The hosts were not ready to give up and they continued piling on the runs in a slow and steady fashion. India on the other hand, kept picking wickets at regular intervals as Prasidh Krishna snapped up 3/47 while Manav Suthar grabbed 3/83. Sonal Dinusha has been the ultimate find for Sri Lanka, continuing his good batting show…thus making 85* in 137 deliveries. At stumps on day three, the hosts were 265/8 in 83.4 overs.

Day 4: Sri Lanka refuses to back down and survive another day

The hosts ended their first innings with 290 in 89.4 overs. Sonal Dinusha notched up a century 103. Enforced with a follow on, batting again the Lankan top order showed far greater resilience during the second innings. Pasindu Sooriyabandara got out on 92 after playing well. Kamindu Mendis made 55. Sonal Dinusha and Keshara Nuwantha remained not out on seven and three respectively. As rain came down in full force, stumps were called when they were 229/6 in 72.4 overs. Manav Suthar picked two wickets.

Day 5: Sonal Dinusha stands tall for Sri Lanka with a special knock as the game ends in a draw

Sri Lankan batters stuck to their game plan and looked to take the match as deep as possible. Sonal Dinusha’s outstanding knock of 133* came in 264 balls, with eight fours and two sixes. His batting was of the highest quality ensuring that Sri Lanka played one of their best games, winning a lot of hearts all over. Sonal smashed two hundreds in the game (103 and 133*). The game ended in a draw, with the Lankans at 429/9 in 154 overs.

Brief Scores

India: 503/9 in 138 overs (Devdutt Padikkal 117, Dhruv Jurel 115*, Rishabh Pant 63, Shubman Gill 50; Asitha Fernando 4/106) drew with Sri Lanka: 290 in 89.4 overs (Sonal Dinusha 103, Pasindu Sooriyabandara 80; Prasidh Krishna 3/53) and 429/9 f/o (Sonal Dinusha 133*, Pasindu Sooriyabandara 92; Ravindra Jadeja 3/94).